With Mercury now direct in curious Gemini, and the approaching solstice, there is a thrust of outward moving energy. This week will likely be productive, as well as social. It’s a great time for sending and receiving messages, moving forward with plans, setting things in motion and getting out there and meeting people.

While the dominant mood this week is social and external, there is an inward pull from Saturn, who, in his retrograde, entered back into Scorpio on Sunday June 14th, where it will remain until mid-September. This provides one more chance to address any unfinished business, to really get any lessons we were meant to learn from Saturn’s once-every-28-years’ visit to Scorpio. This transit is about working with and through deep-seated emotions, complexes or neuroses, and potentially corrosive relationships or relationship dynamics. Seize this opportunity for disciplined self-work, for confronting your shadow side and potential for self-sabotage. There may be (possibly difficult) lessons about commitment, power dynamics, how you share resources and values, jealousy, possessiveness, manipulation, blame and responsibility--in short, this is about intimacy.

How do we maintain our self--our independence, individuality, identity--while also being open and vulnerable in relationship? How do we share and yet find healthy boundaries, healthy limits? How do we trust in relationship rather than control? Scorpio contains intense, powerful, passionate emotion, and Saturn won’t let us turn away. Saturn asks us to acknowledge our emotional truth, no matter how scary it is, or how vulnerable it makes us. This work is ongoing until mid-September.

On Tuesday, June 16th, there is a New Moon in Gemini. Monday evening, just prior to the new moon, is a good time for quiet reflection. Go within and see what needs to be released from the previous (monthly) cycle. Tuesday and Wednesday, draw on the energy of the New Moon to set intentions for the new lunar month. The New Moon is conjunct Mars and square Chiron. This New Moon is all about communication, interaction, thought and speech; how we assert ourselves; and how our expression has the potential to both wound and heal. Mars is drive, passion, fight, assertion, will, sex drive, raw creative energy. Mars energy is not always easily expressed, especially for women who are often socialized to repress it. When Mars energy is repressed, it finds its necessary release through internalized anger, or surprising outbursts. Anger itself isn’t bad. Expressed in a straightforward way, it can help us to assert our needs and desires, stand up for ourselves, and defend our boundaries. How do you express your fire and passion, your needs and desires? How do you assert yourself without hurting others?

Wednesday, June 17th, Mercury trines the North Node for the third time in the past month. This aspect solidifies our focus on the future, our awareness of the direction in which we need to head for the sake of our soul’s growth. The North Node in Libra reminds us that, whatever our dreams, we can’t do it alone. Our future depends on community, cooperation, collaboration.

On Sunday, June 21st, Venus enters its shadow phase, meaning it enters the degrees that it will backtrack over once it turns retrograde in July. Pay attention--you may just glimpse the story you will be working with in Venus Retrograde. Venus rules love, beauty, harmony, relationship, and money. Leo has to do with our self-expression and sovereignty. It’s the sign of royalty. So where and how in your life are you King or Queen? How can you find a positive outlet for your need for recognition and attention, without dishonouring others? How can you find moments of indulgence and pleasure without it spilling over into excess?

Also on Sunday, the Sun enters Cancer, bringing attention to home, family, close friends, deep feelings. This month is time for closeness, nurturing, family holidays, being by the water. This is also summer solstice in the Northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year. This is a time for celebration. In the Southern hemisphere, this is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, a time for internal reflection. Next Monday, June 22nd, on the heels of the solstice, Jupiter trines Uranus, bringing us luck, joy, happy surprises. Be open to possibility and opportunity.

Above all, this week, there is a powerful outward thrust of energy and forward motion. Mars conjunct the New Moon in Gemini is sure to be exciting and action-oriented (with lessons around asserting one’s self in a way that promotes healing), and with Mercury direct, and the coming solstice, there is a surge communication, expression, flirtation, and celebration. So get out there and have fun